His Drug Of Choice

14 - Fire Goddess Unlocked

I love the smell of gasoline
I light the match to taste the heat
I've always liked to play with fire
Play with fire
I've always liked to play with fire 🎼🎤- Sam Thinnesz 

The night was a whirlwind of flashing lights and pounding bass as I sprinted across the parking lot toward the van. My heart pounded against my ribs, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Larah was in trouble—I had to move fast.

Sliding into the driver's seat, I pulled out my phone and checked the live location Larah had shared. It flickered just outside the club's main entrance. I gripped the steering wheel, forcing a deep breath. Bella was so calculated tonight. I had to anticipate her next move.

Pulling out of the lot, I kept my movements subtle, careful not to draw attention. Bella was smart, but I wasn't about to let her outmaneuver me.

As I reached the end of the street, my gaze locked onto a sleek black sedan idling by the curb. Bella leaned against it, exuding triumph, while Larah stood beside her, caught in her web. I parked a few blocks away, muscles coiled with tension.

"Stay calm, Larah," I murmured under my breath. She needed time—time to gather intel on whoever Bella was working for.

Bella motioned for Larah to get into the passenger seat. I clenched my jaw, gripping the wheel tighter. "Just act natural," I reminded myself. I had to shadow them without tipping them off.

As soon as they pulled away, I followed, keeping a safe distance. The city blurred past in streaks of neon and headlights, but my focus never wavered. With every turn they took, the tension in my chest coiled tighter. Then, Bella veered off the main road, slipping into a shadowy, industrial area where the streetlights flickered ominously.

I eased my car into a darkened spot, my pulse thrumming as I watched them pull into an abandoned lot surrounded by warehouses. Bella stepped out first, then reached for Larah's hand, guiding her toward the largest building.

I snatched my phone, my fingers flying over the screen.

- At the warehouse. Stay put. I'll update you. -

Message sent. Now, it was time to move.

Watching them disappear inside, a surge of anger burned through me. Bella was too confident, too sure of herself. I had to find a way in without being seen.

Slipping out of the van, I stayed low, moving silently toward the building. The main entrance was locked, but a side door hung slightly ajar. I held my breath and slid inside, heart hammering in my chest.

The dim interior hummed with the distant whir of machinery and the flickering buzz of fluorescent lights. I crept forward, straining to hear any sign of them. Their voices drifted from a corridor up ahead, and I edged closer, keeping to the shadows.

"What do you want from me, Bella?" Larah's voice was steady, but I could hear the tension beneath it.

"You're going to help me settle a score," Bella murmured, her tone laced with something dark. "You've always been the good girl, Larah. But I think it's time for a little chaos, don't you?"

A surge of protectiveness shot through me. This wasn't just some petty stunt—Bella was playing a dangerous game. I had to get to Larah before she became a pawn in whatever twisted plan Bella had.

I crept forward, adrenaline pumping. I needed to be smart, to wait for the right moment. As I rounded the corner, I saw them—Larah stood firm, facing Bella, while Bella inched closer, her smile predatory.